Toll protest group CUVI, local Left Bloc politicians and a delegation from the Spanish Izquierda Unida movement met in Vila Real de Santo António this weekend to discuss the tolls on the A22 Via do Infante and the fine notices that have been posted to 300,000 Spanish motorists.
Before the next planned get-together there will be a meeting with the Spanish law firm which has the contract to collect these fees and fines from its own nationals.
Spanish motorists owe around €80 million in unpaid toll fees and fines. The GNR now has been ordered to stop Spanish motorists identified as toll evaders and relieve them of the amounts owed.
Brisa has appointed a Portuguese company to collect the Spanish debts. This company is using the Huelva based law firm and now that the GNR are involved there is a chance at least of nabbing some repeat offenders, but not 300,000 of them.
In Spain, Brisa already has published the long list of toll evaders few of whom now will return to Portugal as they have now been made aware that they could be hauled over by the GNR on, or shortly after entry.
Portugal’s tourism authorities will have to replace as much of the 300,000 vehicle inflow as many will have been Spanish families on holiday and are unlikely to return.
